08.28.12
Jay Bolden
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(281) 483-5111
Josh Buck
Headquarters, Washington
(202) 358-1100RELEASE: J12-016
NASA ASTRONAUT ROBERT BEHNKEN NAMED CHIEF OF THE ASTRONAUT OFFICE
HOUSTON – NASA’s Director of Flight Crew Operations Janet Kavandi has
named Air Force Col. Robert L. Behnken as the chief of the Astronaut
Office. Behnken replaces Peggy A. Whitson, who has held the position
since October 2009. “Peggy was an outstanding chief astronaut and we
are thankful for her leadership,” Kavandi said. “She voluntarily
stepped down to refocus on her International Space Station training
and to become eligible for future crew assignments.”
In his new role, Behnken will be responsible for managing Astronaut
Office resources, operations and safety programs. During this
innovative time, he will also help develop astronaut flight crew
operation concepts and crew assignments for future spaceflight
missions.
"Bob is a highly dedicated professional who understands the
challenges that this office holds,” Kavandi said. “He has an
excellent reputation both inside and outside the Astronaut Office.”
Behnken earned Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mechanical
engineering from Washington University in 1992, and a Master of
Science and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the California
Institute of Technology in 1993 and 1997, respectively.
Selected as a mission specialist by NASA in July 2000, Behnken
reported for training in August 2000. Following the completion of 18
months of training and evaluation, he was assigned technical duties
in the Astronaut Office Space Shuttle Branch supporting launch and
landing activities at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Behnken flew on
board shuttle missions STS-123 in March 2008 and STS-130 in February
2010, logging more than 708 hours in space, including more than 37
hours during six spacewalks. During the fall of 2008, he trained as a
mission specialist for STS-400, the rescue flight for the last Hubble
Servicing Mission. Before his appointment to this role, Behnken
served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office.
For Behnken’s complete biography, visit:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/behnken-rl.html
For Whitson’s complete biography, visit:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/whitson.html
-end-